Preliminary range report - both owner and rifle survived

I finally managed to take my 1914 No.1 Mk.III to the rifle range today. I didn't do as well as I hoped, but did better than I thought I would. allowing for not shooting anything in 20 years, using the iron sights, cheap ammunition (Hotshot 174 grain FMJ BT), my non-dominant eye, sharp strong gusting side winds and just resting the barrel on a sandbag while standing, I managed to get almost every round (20 of them) into a 7 inch square at 100 yards - the target looked so lonely and forlorn out there. The rifle was tending to aim left a little bit, so I will correct that when I practice and get tighter groupings. I am not sure if this is reasonable for a first time given my circumstances, but I can only get better (sure as heck can't get any worse!).

I will post a full report in the right section of the forum, with pictures, after a bit more practice.

OK, I have just been looking at the range reports, and I suck! :p

Did I mention that it was overcast?? At least I scared the bloody target a few times. Perhaps I should go with my prior threat of running at the target and bashing it into submission with the rifle butt? LOL.

Fixed bayonets, and a charge in proper order, is considered perfectly appropriate when the target refuses to yield acceptable groups :)

Using a 95 yr. old rifle w/ less than high quality ammo firing from a standing position in gusting wind after a 20 year layoff from shooting, 20 rds. into a composite group of 7 inches from a rifle that new likely would not have put 20 rds. into 3 inches from a benchrest... you've got no reason to be ashamed. Shoot the rifle and enjoy it! By comparison hopefully we will all be as long lived and capable. If you have time, etc., possibly consider posting some pictures. Sincerely. BruceV.

spinecracker, It's a practice, practice, practice type of past time. First trip to the range with a 'new' rifle is usually a learning process, even for an avid shooter. You did fine.

Brad

I still like the idea of running at the target, wailing like a banshee...but I might get thrown off the range :P

Will do, Bruce. I will practice a little bit more over the next few months, then do a proper range report. Next time, I will pick a sunny, non-windy day, use better ammo and shoot left-handed from the prone position using a proper rifle rest (I am left eye dominant, and the 7 inch grouping was shot right-handed - I am just glad I hit the target!). I want to remove as much operator error to see how well she shhots (in the traditions of "Full Metal Jacket", I have named my rifle Victoria).

Anyone know of good resources online for improving rifle shooting skills?

Been shooting L-E's left handed since about 1980, its ONE of the things I like about 'em. Reach over, grab bolt shank w/ thumb and operate briskly! Brass will often sail 5-10 feet. Cock on close is an advantage here.

For real speed, though, it must be operated RH, grab bolt w/ thumb and "trigger" finger but don't left go! Fire w/ the middle finger as the bolt closes( but only w/closure otherwise it might misfire ,a helpful safety feature!). W/ practice its pretty amazing. Did it for the folks fixing to deploy late 2001/ early 2002 to Afganistan during CQC matches, got a bit of attention!

Hot Shot ammo is pretty darn good, (PRVI made?) from what I've shot. OT, but the fellow who did the semi-auto Brens in Georgia used it to test all his units.

jmoore, how many RPM did you get up to?

Spinecracker, if you've got a No1 MkIII, and not a III*, you should have a windage adjustment. You can use that to correct your left drift until you purchase or otherwise get the use of a foresight adjusting tool. 1 click = 1 inch per 100 yards.

It was one of the Mk.IIIs that were changed over to the Mk.III* configuration in the 20's, so the windage adjustment went bye bye then lol.

The rifle eventually got sold to pay for my 1944 Long Branch. Unlike some rich people around here, I can't afford to have a collection :P

If your Enfield shooting gets you down at the range just pick a National Animal and fix bayonets and vent…………………
I just picked the one who cheats at Rugby. :yikes:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

OMFG is that something cute and cuddly and Australian making an unspeakable gesture?

(Where can I get a target like that? I have an uncle who'd appreciate it.)

I want to throw up...and laugh...not easy doing them both at the same time...

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Originally Posted by spinecracker

It was one of the Mk.IIIs that were changed over to the Mk.III* configuration in the 20's, so the windage adjustment went bye bye then lol.

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Sacrilege!!! You poor fellow. *Commiserates.*

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The rifle eventually got sold to pay for my 1944 Long Branch. Unlike some rich people around here, I can't afford to have a collection :P

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Much as I'd like a collection, I'm not sure the Mrs will stand for it - wealthy or otherwise! The best thing about an SMLE is that you can always buy a military-issue windage-adjustable backsight second-hand if you go to the right gun show or find it on e-bay. You can't do that for a No.4 without going to a target sight. :madsmile: (Mind you, I did go for a target sight on my SMLE, but that's to try and level the playing field against target rifles with price tags in the four figures...)

Last time I was at the range I noted that someone had downloaded pictures of Osama Bin Ladin from a website that specialized in such targets, stuck them to a cardboard box and blasted away at 50 yards - and missed. Says it all, really.

There is a No.4 Mk.1* for sale on a well-known gun auction website, with a windage adjustable Parker Hale micrometer with an adjustable diopter (NOT the PH5C kind, I hasten to add), and the front sight is a Parker Hale globe, going for about $350 at the moment, but I don't think my wife would let me go for that unless my Long Branch went bye bye too (sob)

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Originally Posted by pathdoc

jmoore, how many RPM did you get up to?

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That depends on whether the target was in my face or a bit farther out. On a really good day, its possible to run one a bit over 2 rounds a second (no real aiming, but good for ten yards or so). Thus, if the timer is started at the sound of the first shot being fired, you can almost have the third one downrange at the one second mark. I haven't done this in a while, But it takes less practice than you might think- it the shot placement that's really tough! At distance, the problem is that you will tend to fire much too soon, as your finger will automatically hit the trigger as the bolt closes. You actually have to concentrate on NOT firing the weapon when operating in this mode. Generally, all the aiming I did was to get the front sight protecting ears on target and let fly. During transitions to the next target, I would usually not cycle the bolt until late to prevent firing too early- it was easier to manage than changing the firing technique at speed.

Other things- if you save brass, this isn't going to be fun- not only does it fly surprisingly far, some rounds will have a bit of extra stretch due to (I think) the bolt not being ALL the way down when it fires. If the handle is too high for safety, it won't fire, but since the locking surfaces are on an inclined plane, being slightly open increases the headspace a skosh.

I found that I could run the rifle faster than I could aquire the sights- not as fast or as accurate as a semiauto, but close enough to be exciting!

Don't try this unless you have a completely safe downrange zone of 2000m or so, sometimes rounds will go off into the wild blue, esp. at first ! I had the opportunity to work this out at Ft. Benning, so there weren't any worries. (I reckon finding open areas in Oz ain't a huge drama!)

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Originally Posted by pathdoc

OMFG is that something cute and cuddly and Australian making an unspeakable gesture?

(Where can I get a target like that? I have an uncle who'd appreciate it.)

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Strange it isn't a New Zealand website :rolleyes:

http://www.kermitairgunclub.com/targ...ages/koala.jpg

Targets from your printer - Cast Boolits

They always told me that the object was to force them to keep their heads down. And I bet you scared the target no end. :thup::thup::thup::thup:

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Originally Posted by Edward Horton

If your Enfield shooting gets you down at the range just pick a National Animal and fix bayonets and vent…………………
I just picked the one who cheats at Rugby. :yikes:

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

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Hi Ed,

you use a strange way to introduce a suppository:yikes:Ouuch!

Regards

Gunner

Suppository? I suppose it is kill AND cure...

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Originally Posted by gunner

Hi Ed,

you use a strange way to introduce a suppository:yikes:Ouuch!

Regards

Gunner

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We held the Americas Cup in yacht racing for 126 years until the Australians cheated and stole the cup from us in 1983 (sob, hic, sigh) :crying:

The Australian group “Men at Work” and their song “Land Down Under” only rubbed more salt in our American wounds over loosing the “Cup”. :bitch:

If you really want to know, I dipped the bayonet tip in Vegemite before sticking the Koala in the “arse”. :D

BUT other than loosing the Americas Cup to the Australians, being forced to listen to Men at Work and then having the Western Ozmanics kicking the crap out of “Quigley Down Under” I don’t really have any hard feelings toward any Australians. :rolleyes:

Besides Quigley did get even…………………..

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ySharps3-1.jpg

And Paul Hogan can’t sing……..:D

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...NDVD_083-1.jpg

Ed,

i am so so sorry that the americans lost the Cup. But i think it was an nautic proplem shown at the pic. In one point i have to admit that you`re completely
right....( And Paul Hogan can’t sing……..:D) he sings like a rusty old watering can:madsmile: And the 900yards(?)Quigley shot, with my rifle is no problem.
But this nice australian girl can sing.:bow: BTW she looks a little better than "Crocodile Dundee".

Regards

Gunner